Safadi visits Syria as Jordan, Damascus agree on cooperation roadmap
Jordan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ayman Safadi, arrived in Damascus on Teusday, leading a high-level delegation on a working visit aimed at restoring and strengthening ties between Jordan and Syria.
The visit marks a new phase in bilateral relations after years of tension and regional instability.
According to Jordan’s state media, Safadi and Syrian officials agreed on a roadmap for cooperation across key sectors, including water, energy, transport, trade, and health. The Jordanian delegation included Minister of Water and Irrigation Raed Abu Al-Saud, Minister of Industry and Trade Yarub Qudah, Minister of Energy Saleh Kharabsheh, and Minister of Transport Wesam Tahtamouni.
During a joint press conference with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, Safadi said the roadmap reflects Jordan’s commitment, under the direction of King Abdullah II, to strengthen regional cooperation and support Syria’s recovery. “We agreed today on a practical roadmap covering multiple sectors. Our next step is implementation,” he said.
Establishing higher coordination council
Al-Shaibani announced the signing of an agreement to establish a Higher Coordination Council between the two countries, covering all ministries and designed to move joint projects toward implementation. He described the visit as “a historic turning point,” and praised Jordan’s role, saying, “Jordan has been more eager than us to push this process forward.”
Addressing shared challenges
Safadi emphasized the importance of tackling shared challenges, particularly drug and arms smuggling across the Syrian-Jordanian border — a long-standing concern for Amman. He also condemned ongoing Israeli strikes on Syrian territory, calling them “unjustified, immoral violations” that threaten both countries' security.
Jordan backs Syria’s recovery
Safadi reaffirmed Jordan’s full support for Syria during its transitional phase. “A successful Syrian recovery is a success for Jordan and the region,” he said. He called for lifting sanctions on Syria, arguing they hinder reconstruction and development. Lifting them, he added, would enable Syrian authorities to rebuild and invite international and private sector engagement.
On Syrian refugees in Jordan
Safadi noted that Jordan hosts over 1.3 million Syrian refugees, with only 10% living in camps. He stressed that their voluntary return depends on the success of Syria’s recovery. “Jordan will continue to support Syria until it has the tools needed to rebuild,” he said.
In closing, Safadi highlighted the strategic potential of Jordan-Syria cooperation:
“Jordan is Syria’s gateway to the Gulf, and Syria is Jordan’s gateway to Europe. We will work together to turn this geography into a force for regional development and stability.”
